Early (or really late) season roughfishing on the Sugar River

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tom
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Early (or really late) season roughfishing on the Sugar River
<p>We had a couple of unseasonably warm days last weekend in Madison, and it got me thinking maybe I can find some open water fish. I delude myself into doing this a few times each winter. While hopes are always high, the logical&nbsp;part of me knows a skunk is likely. Usually, I'm right, but sometimes I'm wrong in the best of ways.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://www.roughfish.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/usgs.png?itok=_lgRNmqV" /></p> <p>Water temps were looking good.&nbsp;</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://www.roughfish.com/sites/default/files/snwee.png" style="height:583px; width:1024px" /></p> <p>Walking through a shitload of snow. A good pair of insulated waders are your best friend in this stuff.&nbsp;</p> <p>I hit the water rigged up and ready to rock. Once the sun came out, bites came fast and furious.&nbsp;</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://www.roughfish.com/sites/default/files/gold_0.png" style="height:583px; width:1024px" />Here's a cool little golden redhorse. My first fish of 2019.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://www.roughfish.com/sites/default/files/sil.png" style="height:583px; width:1024px" />Big healthy silvers like this made up the majority of my catch.&nbsp;</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://www.roughfish.com/sites/default/files/golden%20pike.png" style="height:601px; width:1024px" />A pike came out nowhere and&nbsp;took 2 good swipes at this big golden redhorse right before I landed him.&nbsp;</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://www.roughfish.com/sites/default/files/shrd.png" style="height:576px; width:1024px" />winter slam.&nbsp;</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://www.roughfish.com/sites/default/files/Untitled_6.png" style="height:583px; width:1024px" />&nbsp;carp.&nbsp;</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://www.roughfish.com/sites/default/files/white.png" style="height:576px; width:1024px" />aaaannnnd,,, a white sucker.&nbsp;</p> <p>I feel normal again.&nbsp;</p>
Cast_and_Blast
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Nice job on some winter rough

Nice job on some winter rough fishing.  Dang, I am ready for Spring time! 

andy
andy's picture
Very cool

I could really go for some open water action like that right about now.  Nice job and thanks for sharing!

 

 

Corey
Corey's picture
Very nice!

I'm jealous.

Royal Whaler
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Early Spring Fishing

Started my early spring open water fishing on February 4th on the Clinton R. here in Michigan.  So far, have caught 17 suckers and they are all White Suckers.

Goldenfishberg
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Heck yes Tom!

wow, there is hope!! I had completely forgotten that fishing poles can be longer than 24 inches and water is sometimes even in a liquid form! Wow. Thanks for the glimmer of hope man, and thems some nice lookin fish!

Ya just Can't catch um from the couch.

Jason E.
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I'm totally jealous.  I

I'm totally jealous.  I recently found some open water and caught just one carp in over 2 hours of fishing. It will be weeks, maybe months, before I'm able to catch fish like you just did!

Eli
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that got me champing at the

that got me champing at the bit!

Eli

 

 

Tyler W
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Spring

Looks like spring arrived over there. Nice work. What was the water temp when you caught fish? I don't usually try until water temps get to 45F. 50F is my threshold for "full panic emergency fishing declaration".

tom
tom's picture
40

40 Seems to be the magic number. Temps peaked at 49 today. I can't wait for Saturday. haha smiley

Graceclaw
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30-35

Water temps are still 30-35 degrees here, so we'll have to wait a little while. 

andy
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Tried Sunday in MN

Hit a stream South of I-90.  It was high and colored up, but fishable.  All I managed was a dozen large common shiners.  Thinking it will be a couple weeks before the horses start biting.